TELEVISION has evolved a lot since Friends debuted more than 20 years ago.

From reality television to second screen viewing and streaming on demand, we have fewer reasons to gather around the screen each week at a set time to enjoy a favourite TV show with family and friends.

The dialogue sometimes feels overly rehearsed and, let's be honest, the storyline is little more than a device used purely for stringing jokes together.

I hate to keep comparing The Odd Couple to Modern Family, but the latter embodies the more natural, free-flowing style of sitcom that I like.

Yes, the characters are still playing to stereotypes and everything wraps up neatly in 22 minutes, but at least it's not static.

The actors talk to the camera as if it's a friend or counsellor; the camera moves around and the sets feel more realistic.

The studio-filmed sitcom is not irrelevant just yet, just look at the worldwide popularity of The Big Bang Theory, but it is in danger of looking stiff and contrived next to its younger and more free-flowing counterparts.